Eraser.



No. 646,824. Patentd Apr. 3, |900.

v C. C. GERRY.

ERA

(Appl'iceion me oy. v, ms.)

.(No Modal.)

'UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CHARLES C. GERRY, OF SUDBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGN OR OF ONE- HALF TO FRANK F. GERRY, OF SAME PLACE.

ERASER.

SPECIFICATION forming part 0f Letters Patent' No. 646,824, dated April 3, 1900.

Application filed November 7, 1898. Serial No. 695,665. (No model.)

To @ZZ w/'tom it may concern.- l

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. GERRY, of Sudbury, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Erasers, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specication, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.4 l

The use of carpet as a material with which to cover blackboard-erasers is of great advantage for the reason that the carpet presents a yielding surface which conforms automatically to the irregularities of the blackboard and does not clog with the dust removed from the latter, so that erasers formed of it are always in working condition. However, while the central portion of the erasing-snrface leaves nothing to be desired in durability the life of a carpet eraser is shortened by the breaking down of the pile at the edges, causing a blurred erasure and frequently a raveling of the fabric to an extent that unfits the eraser for use. This deciency is especially noticeable wherel a cut edge of the carpet is presented at the edge of the eraser, and

while a selvage affords a certain degree ofA protection still the pile lacks lateral support, and in any event it is obvious thatthe eX- pense of producing erasing-mats of carpet the exact size of anl eraser and selvaged all around would be prohibitive.

The object of my invention therefore is to provide means to yield lateral support to the edges of carpet or other pile fabric in such degree as to render these fabrics available for universal utilization in the construction of devices of the class described.

The various features of my invention will be illustrated and described fully in the accompanying drawings and specilication and set forth in the claims.

1n the drawings, Figure l shows in plan an eraser of the class described in the construction of which my invention has been embodied; and -Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line a; x, Fig. l, Fig. 3 beinga plan view of a modified form of construction embodying my invention, and Fig. 4 a transverse vertical section thereof on the line y y, Fig. 3.

In the embodiment of myinvention selected as a convenient form for illustration and description, A designates a support or handlepiece,which may be of any suitable material and shape and in the instance illustrated is shown as a block of wood. To the face of this support is applied the erasive surface' proper B, comprising a piece of pile fabric-as, for example, carpet-having preferably a heavy pile b, which may be secured to the support in any convenient manner with the pile presented outward, the attachment being illustrated in this instance as accomplished by inserting the longitudinal edges b of the fabric into grooves or recesses CL in the sides of the block, suitable wedge-pieces c being forced into the grooves and by their entrance drawing the fabric into tight engagement With the face of the support, holding it thereafter in applied position substantially as illustrated.

In accordance with my invention I have provided means to yield lateral support to the edges of the carpet or other pile fabric, and one form of such means is illustrated at B, the means consisting in the instance illustrated of a strip of felt bound around the periphery ot' the eraser in such position as to support the plle l) of the fabric B. This binding serves the additional function in the instance shown of means to conceal the region of attachment of the fabric to the support, and it will be seen upon reference to Figs. 2 and 4 that its upper edge extends above the body or foundation of the pile fabric B, constituting the main erasing portion of the device. When'formed of felt or similar material of good erasive properties, it may be used as a part of the erasing-surface by bringing it into engagement with the part of the blackboard bearing the matter to be erased and will enable such erasure to be accolnplished in a very delicate and effective manner.

It will be obvious that the part D may be secured in a somewhat-higher position than that indicated and may be attached in any suitable manner-as, for example, by the use of glue-and it may be formed of one or more pieces, being shown in Fig. 1 as consisting of two pieces, one of which, d, runs around three sides of the eraser, while the piece d protects one end. Similarly, if but one side or end of the pile fabric needs support that roo end only may be provided with the strip and yet come Within the scope of my invention.

Where such an erasive material as that described is used for the lateral support of the pile fabric, the form of construction constituting the modification illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4 may be utilized to advantage. \Vith this construction a piece of pile fabric B', such as carpet, is attached suitably, by glue or otherwise, to the face of a suitable support A', a margin beingleft at the edge for the lateral supporting means D', and such an eraser is easy to construct, inexpensive, and effective, presenting, as it does, the advantages of a durable and efficient central erasing-surface, supported properly at its edges by a material of high erasive qualities, especially with regard to delicate Work.

The various parts of the eraser may be modified in construction and arrangement without departing from the spirit of my invention', and I do not limit myself otherwise than as set forth in the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,

isv l. A blackboard-eraser comprising a solid block provided with side grooves; pile fabric applied to the face of said block and extending into said grooves; independent wedge-pieces, one for, and to Wedge said fabric within, each of said grooves; and a strip of felt secured to said block in position to cover the union of said fabric and block, and support the pile of said fabric at its exposed edges; said felt being arranged to constitute a fine erasing-limb.

2. An eraser comprising a body portion, a pile fabric secured to the body portion and constituting a main erasive device, 'and a yieldable member separate from and extending entirely around and directly engaging said pile fabric to protect and support the pile thereof, and constituting an auxiliary erasing device.

3. An eraser comprising a body portion, a pile fabric secured to the body portion and constituting a main erasive device, and a felt strip entirely Surrounding and engaging the pile fabric to protect and support the pile thereof, and its upper edge extending above the body of the pile fabric.

4. An eraser comprising a body portion having an extended upper surface; apile fabric glued to said surface and presenting unselvaged edges; and a strip of erasive material entirely surrounding and engaging the pile of said fabric to protect and support said pile, said strip of erasive material presenting a fiat erasive surface adjacent, and in continuance of, the Working surface ot' said pile fabric, and possessing finer erasive properties than said pile fabric.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES C?. GERRY.

\\'itnesscs:

FRANK F. GERRY, NETTIE M. GERRY. 

